Processor question

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 2:08 pm

What the hell is a Pentium D? Is that the latest greatest, or another second-quality line?

BTW, what processors do you all possess?

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:23 pm

These days its hard to keep up with all the processors on the market. I have stopped keeping on top of it years ago when I stopped building machines regularly and started managing them.
The Pentium D line succeeded the Pentium 4 processor and it was intel's first Dual Core desktop processor line. The Pentium D is not to be confused with the Intel Core line, which also has Single and Dual core Processors. If you want the latest & greatest bleeding edge processor then you want the Intel Core 2 Duo processors.

I currently use a variety of processors:
I've got a 9300 Inspiron running a Pentium M, an HP desktop at home running an AMD 2400 processor. At work we run a variety of Pentium M, Pentium D and Pentium 4 computers. Our latest and greatest is a Master backup server which looks something like this:

2x Intel Dual-Core Xeon processors
4Gb Ram
Supermicro Mobo
2x 75Gb 10,000RPM drives for the OS (Raid 1)
5x 500Gb Drives (Raid 5) for a total of 2tb
1x 3ware 9500 SATA Raid card (12 drives)
Case has enough space for 32 5.25 spaces. (CalPC case)
ordered 3x 5 in 3 Drive cage so you can put 5 drives in 3 5.25 spaces.

Its going to be a beast.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 3:27 pm

Thanks, ET.

I'm thinking seriously about this thing:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... 0&NoMapp=0

Any comments?

ElTaco · Post by **ElTaco** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:00 pm

Looks like a decent system. The Mobo is from Intel, which is good, although its obviously a lower end mother board with only 2 PCI slots. The site doesn't mention if it has an AGP slot, but the picture shows one. I would double check that because if you have any interest in working with graphics or games, I'd probably invest in a 128mb or 256mb video card, which only costs another $80 these days.

I also like that you are getting XP Pro and not Home.

There are some similar options/deals from Dell:

# Dell Dimension 5150 Desktop, Pentium® D 2.66GHz w/ Dual Core Technology, 1GB DDR2, 80GB, CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo, XP Home, 17" LCD » only $569.00 + Free Shipping

# Go to the product page of this system at Dell Small Business
# Check each and every option to make sure you are getting everything that you need (Configuration changes will affect final price)
# Proceed to checkout
# Dell Small Biz is offering $250 instant discount on this system
# Dell Small Biz is offering Free Shipping & Handling on new system purchases
# Your Final Price: $819 - $250 = $569.00 + Free Shipping

This offer expires on 09/13/2006!

OR

# Dell Dimension 9200 Desktop, Pentium® D 2.80GHz w/ Dual Core Technology, 1GB DDR2, 80GB, CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo, XP Home, 19" LCD » only $729.00 + Free Shipping

# Go to the product page of this system at Dell Small Business
# Check each and every option to make sure you are getting everything that you need (Configuration changes will affect final price)
# Proceed to checkout
# Dell Small Biz is offering $100 instant discount on this system
# Dell Small Biz is offering Free Shipping & Handling on new system purchases
# Your Final Price: $829 - $100 = $729.00 + Free Shipping

The dell deals are a bit different but if you also want to purchase an LCD, they may be worth it.

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 3:05 pm

Any love for AMD processors? I have to say, I'm glad I held off on that purchase

Headhunter · Post by **Headhunter** » Fri Nov 03, 2006 1:08 pm

I'm a big fan of AMD. Been using them for years.

I started with the K5's from purely a "poor as a church mouse" angle, but by the K7's I was rewarded for my loyalty. I remain an AMD guy for a couple of reasons.

1) Great performance

2) Price

3) they're a Texas company.

That being said, the big companies don't build with AMD. A lot of high end gaming rigs use the AMD. I typically build my own. In the past, that was to save money, but even that seems to be lost these days.

Donovan · Post by **Donovan** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 7:12 pm

My last two systems have been powered by AMD chips and I've been very pleased with the performance and price. But lately Intel has made amazing strides with their Core 2 Duos. If you're a gamer, or do video encoding, they're the processors of choice (at least until the quad cores come out), but for the average user AMD is still a decent choice.